GOSF 2014: Tips and Tricks From the Experts

The Great Online Shopping Festival (GOSF) is back, and your credit card is on the verge of being maxed out. Created by Google in 2012 as India's answer to Black Friday and Cyber Monday shopping festivals abroad, GOSF 2014 is poised to be the biggest and most exciting edition yet, with over 300 retailers taking part.

And the fun has already begun with the GOSF Pre-Party, lasting from now until the kick-off of the festival on December 10. This Pre-Party, organised by Google, will involve 14 shortlisted brands, with one day reserved for each to offer day-long deals and run contests for customers. Each day will see a lucky winner who will get to shop for free for up to Rs. 2.5 lakh.

Now, we already know from previous years that the juicy deals on offer can be very tempting. So how do we make the most of it, without falling into a compulsive shopping frenzy and bring down the website like last time?

We talked marketing expert at CupoNation India, who shared his advice:

Be organised

"Being haphazard has never helped anyone. Try to make a plan beforehand, with a list of both specific products and broad categories you're interested in. Do your research early, for that phone or laptop you've got your eyes on, so that you already know which specifications you're looking for, and then compare products, prices, and deals during the festivals. As for clothes, accessories, or shoes, we all know that it's not something that can be planned. We often fall in love at first sight, so go ahead and fall in love. We've seen up to 90% discounts at the GOSF in the past!"

Look ahead

"Many people see so many great deals and get confused and indecisive, and thus end up missing out. The solution to this is to plan for the long-term. Think of what you'll need to buy ahead, in the next few months or new year. Do you need a new look for winter or the perfect outfit for the wedding season? Do you have any birthdays coming up among your friends and family? Is your laptop on its last legs? Are you planning to travel abroad next summer? The smart shopper can use big shopping festivals like these to save massively on these sorts of purchases, by doing them in advance, when prices are at their lowest. Last year, we even saw some people book apartments through GOSF deals, which was new for all of us!"

Connect

"It might seem obvious, but there's nothing worse than having chosen your dream product at an unbelievable price, only to have a power-cut or internet outage ruin your hard work and get you back to square one. So if you ever find a special, limited-time only deal, like during the GOSF pre-party, make sure that you're going to be connected well, at home, office, or on a good 3G provider.

Relax!

"Unlike the chaos and mayhem that is often associated with Black Friday in the U.S., with people sleeping outside shops overnight and rushing to be the first to enter, the beauty of an online festival lies in the fact that you can do it from the comfort of your home, office, or even on your phone. The offers last all through the festival, so there's no rush, and there are neither long queues nor crowds, so don't stress out. Just make a cup of tea, get online, and take your time in finding the right deal for you."

So, now that you've heard all these insider tips, go out there, use your head, and have fun this GOSF. We'll see exciting offers from all your favourite online retailers, including Amazon, Snapdeal, Jabong, MakeMyTrip, and many more!